December 7, 2024 

Waxahachie, TX – The Sheaffer Center buzzed with energy as the Nelson University Lions went toe-to-toe with No. 11-ranked Langston University in a Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) thriller. The Lions came just short of a monumental upset, falling 64-63 in the final moments.

Trailing by two at halftime (31-29), the Lions returned to the court determined, outscoring Langston in the second half 34-33. Despite their relentless effort, the Lions could not overcome Langston's pursuit on the glass.

CJ Hall led the charge for Nelson with a commanding 29-point performance, shooting an impressive 12-of-25 from the field, including three three-pointers. His ability to drive to the basket and connect from deep kept the Lions in striking distance throughout the contest and gave them the lead on what would have been the game's winning shot.

Preston Lawrence provided a solid secondary scoring option with 17 points, nailing five three-pointers on seven attempts and showcasing his sharpshooting capabilities. 

Though Jordan Jenkins and Noah Jonker contributed valuable minutes off the bench, combining for 8 points and clutch rebounds. Meanwhile, Langston capitalized on timely defensive stops to secure the narrow victory.

The Lions shot 41% from the field, connecting on 25 of 61 attempts, including 9-of-27 from beyond the arc. 

However, free throws proved costly. The Lions converted just 4-of-6 attempts (66.7%), leaving crucial points on the table in a one-point game.

What's Next?
The Lions will look to bounce back on Saturday, Dec. 14, versus the University of North Texas - Dallas in another SAC showdown. Tipoff is set for 4:00 PM.

Nelson University (formerly SAGU) is a private Christian university, established in 1927 by P.C. Nelson. The University is located 30 minutes south of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in Waxahachie, Texas, and offers more than 70 associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees on campus or online. For more information, visit www.nelson.edu or by calling 1-888-YES-SAGU.